The Chicago Bears were part of some wild drama in the finale of the 2022 regular season. A loss to the Minnesota Vikings guaranteed them the #2 overall pick in the upcoming draft. They did their part, falling 29-13 to their division rivals. The real mayhem would come from the Houston Texans-Indianapolis Colts game. If the Texans won, it would push their record to a half-game better than Chicago’s, handing the Bears the #1 overall pick. It looked like that might happen with Houston leading by ten points at multiple instances in the second half. Then Indianapolis rallied off two big interceptions to take a 31-24 lead.
Everything appears back in order. The Texans were done. Then Davis Mills, the guy everybody knows will be replaced in April, engineered an absurd drive that included two 4th and long conversions, ending with a 20-yard touchdown. They followed that with a two-point attempt that was good. Houston was back in front 32-31. Indianapolis failed to reach field goal range and their Hail Mary attempt fell incomplete. Just like that, the Bears were handed the #1 pick for the first time since 1947.
Longtime Houston beat reporter John McClain, who covered the Texans for years, revealed some fascinating information about what might happen if the Bears ended up in that spot.
Such a scenario would be perfect for the Chicago Bears.
It puts the Texans in an awkward spot. They know the Bears won’t take a quarterback. However, they also know there will be a long list of teams that might be eager to jump up the board to get their preferred QB at #1. Indianapolis (#4), Las Vegas (#7), Atlanta (#8), and Carolina (#9) are all viable threats. Thus GM Nick Caserio has a choice. Accept the possibility he’ll miss out on his QB of choice or perhaps work a trade with the Bears to swap picks. Chicago gets some extra draft currency and still secures their defender of choice at #2, while Houston gets their quarterback.
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It would be an ideal scenario for GM Ryan Poles. The best of both worlds. What it comes down to is compensation. The Chicago Bears hold all the leverage. They should be able to wring a significant package out of the Texans in such a scenario. Remember the 49ers got a 3rd round pick, a 4th round pick, and a future 3rd round pick when the Bears moved from #3 to #2 in 2017. That means Poles should be able to get more. He has no reason to feel desperate to move down and will have other suitors for the pick. It rests on the Texans to do something about it.
Trading #2 & 12 to move up to 1 is Stupid, there’s two quality QB’s on the board, either one is good.
This is obvious–you needed a Tweet to learn this? Such clickbait. I hope you’re raking in the cash!
Trade picks with Texas and then draft Mitch Trubiski.
Deals must be linked before traded, Houston #1 and indianoplace for Buckner and #2 for #4.
The sweetest trade down first would be to trade with Houston for their 1st round picks at #2 and #12. Then trade the #2 pick to Indy for Buckner, their #4 and a 2nd or 3rd pick. Chicago would then end up with the #4, #12 in the first, Buckner to pair with Anderson. It would also allow Poles to take the best OL available at #12 and solidify at least 3 spots with topflight talent. Also, with the potential of 2 2nd rounders, Poles then could take his choice of the BPA or trade down in the second again… Read more »